Let's Support This Social Innovation Campaign to Thank the UK's Soldiers This Christmas

The ABF's Soldiers' Charity has created a fantastic social innovation Christmas campaign to thank the U.K.'s brave ¬servicemen and women. It is producing a huge digital "Union Jack" flag (another name for the British flag) to be made up from the faces of ¬supporters from around the country. Clicking on a link you can add your picture to the image, which already has thousands of faces on it. People can also add a message of support on the Soldiers' -Charity Facebook page¬.  The digital image will be projected on to the White Cliffs of Dover on New Year's Eve, 2011. The pictures can be rotated online so people can see themselves and their friends.

The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs that form part of the British coastline and have great symbolic value for the country because they face towards Europe, where invasions have historically threatened during the last two World Wars. It makes this social innovation initiative even more special. Former England football striker, Gary ¬Lineker says, "I was lucky enough to meet dozens of soldiers when I visited Afghanistan last year. It really brought it home to me how much they risk every day. I think every one of them ¬deserves our gratitude. The Thanks, Soldier Union Jack flag is such a great idea".

The Soldiers' Charity, formerly known as the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), supports the men and women who put everything on the line to defend the U.K. It offers them lifetime support whether they are serving soldiers or veterans, and has supported 4,000 individuals and 80 specialist charities in the past year. It has seen a 12 per cent increase in the number of grants given to individuals and expects an increase in numbers to contact them for help due to the Afghanistan war. The Charity's CEO, Major General Sir Evelyn ¬Webb-Carter, says, "We hope as many people as possible will join our campaign to say 'Thanks, Soldier,' especially to those away from their families over the festive season".

This organisation always looks to the future and social innovation to find the best ways to give medical, technical and financial support to give the best possible outlook for the men and women. It aims to increase fundraising to £14 million a year by 2015 to ensure that it can help each and every soldier that requires its help.

Earlier this year President Obama announced that most US troops would be out of Afghanistan by 2013. Britain, the second largest contributor to Nate's Afghanistan operation, has pledged to pull back forces by 2015. Since, 2001 the UK's military role in this region has seen many members of the Army, RAF, Royal Marines and Special Forces lose their lives; the number of military deaths now stands at 391. This social innovation campaign by the UK's Soldiers' Charity allows us all to show our support to the men and women who have given their lives, whether we believe in war or not.

Photo Credit: ABF Soldiers' Charity Main Website